For Immediate Release

An estimated 1.7 million patients are affected by hospital-acquired infections in U.S. hospitals each year, causing nearly 90,000 deaths and costing facilities an estimated $25 billion, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Many of these problems can be prevented. Medline Industries, Inc. today announced support for 10 new Prevention Above All Discovery Grants, awarding more than $500,000 in funding for research designed to develop and test innovative methodologies and clinical interventions for reducing or preventing health care-acquired harms.

"With advances in treatment, hospitals are admitting patients at higher risk for adverse events and the care we provide is increasingly complex,” said Andrew Kramer, M.D., chief executive officer, Providigm, and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado. “At the same time, we are making advancements all the time in technologies and approaches that can help us monitor and reduce hospital acquired conditions. The advancements proposed in the selected research projects address some of the most pressing hospital-acquired conditions and help to reduce associated risks for the aging patient population.”

Now in its third year, Medline has provided more than $1.6 million in grant funding through its Prevention Above All Discovery Grants Program to front-line health care workers researching evidence-based solutions and interventions that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has declared as preventable, including pressure ulcers, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), ventilator-associated pneumonia, and others. The grant program is a key part of Medline’s commitment to help the health care industry eradicate health care-associated infections (HAIs) through innovation and research designed to improve outcomes, increase patient safety and raise core measures throughout the health care industry.

Each year, award applications are evaluated by an independent review panel whose members represent a breadth of research and practice knowledge. The studies selected for the 2011 grant cycle promote the gathering of clinical evidence and support implementation of targeted solutions in health care, including research aimed at CAUTI prevention, fall reduction and improved care for ventilated patients.

“Medline’s investment in prevention interventions has been instrumental in helping accelerate progress toward the elimination of HAIs,” said Sue MacInnes, chief marketing officer for Medline. “We applaud the innovation, research, collaboration and dedication among health care professionals to invest their time in improving patient care.”

About Medline

As the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of health care and surgical products, Medline manufactures and distributes more than 350,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, physician offices, home care providers and agencies, and retailers. Recently named one of the nation’s "Best and Brightest Companies to Work for,” Medline is headquartered in Mundelein, Ill. and has more than 1,100 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest-growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 450 major hospitals and healthcare systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities and on-staff clinicians.

Medline has a growing network of 50 manufacturing and distribution centers worldwide, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 200 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.